Combustible strip ammunition belt

ABSTRACT

A combustible ammunition belt for caseless ammunition is provided. The belt is fed into the chamber of a firearm with the caseless ammunition and is consumed. The belt is made from a strip of combustible fabric. Caseless rounds are secured to the strip belt. The belt passes through the longitudinal axis of each caseless round.

United States Patent Hrabovsky [451 Oct. 10, 1972 [54] COMBUSTIBLE STRIP AMIVIUNITION BELT [72] Inventor: Joseph V. Hrabovsky, 154 Calvo Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119 [22] Filed: Aug. 23, 1968 [21] App1.No.: 786,513

[52] US. Cl. ..89/35 A, l02/DlG. l [51] Int. Cl ..F42b 39/08 [58] Field of Search ..89/33, 33 MC, 33. 14, 33.16,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,232,384 7/1917 Palmer ..89/33.25 UX 1,337,971 4/1920 Watkins ..89/35 UX 1,856,022 4/1932 Blacker ..89/33.2 X 2,317,579 4/1943 Bacon ..89/33 MC X Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Attorney-William F. Smith ABSTRACT A combustible ammunition belt for caseless ammunition is provided. The belt is fed into the chamber of a firearm with the caseless ammunition and is consumed. The belt is made from a strip of combustible fabric. Caseless rounds are secured to the strip belt. The belt passes through the longitudinal axis of each caseless round.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTED B 10 3.696,?05

SHEET 1 BF 2 FIG. FIG. 3

32 FIG. 4 38 JOSEPH V. HRABOVSKY INVENTOR.

BY Maia/4M FIG. 5

ATTORNEY PATENIEuucI 10 I972 3 696, 705

sum 2 [IF 2 FIG 6 JOSEPH V HRABOVSKY INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY COMBUSTIBLE STRIP AMMUNITION BELT This invention relates to a combustible ammunition belt for feeding caseless ammunition into an automatic weapon. More particularly, this invention relates to a combustible ammunition belt which is burned in the chamber of the automatic weapon with the caseless ammunition.

A common type of feed system for rapid fire weapons is the ammunition belt. One type of ammunition belt is prepared from a webbing material having loops through which rounds of ammunition are inserted. In a typical loop type belt one end of the belt is inserted in the breech of an automatic weapon and the belt is pulled through the weapon by a mechanism such as a lever, which engages the belt. The lever is operated by reciprocation of the breech block during firing. As the ammunition belt is fed through the weapon an extracting means pulls a round of ammunition rear-ward from a loop in the belt in which it is retained and then moves the round transversely into the path of the reciprocating breech members which thereafter feeds the round into the chamber of the firearm. The empty ammunition belt falls away from the automatic weapon.

Another common type of ammunition belt often referred to as a disintegrating cartridge belt consists of a series of metal links in which a round of ammunition holds two links together. These ammunition belts are constructed so that after the gun loading mechanism strips a round of ammunition from a link assembly, there is no longer a mechanical connection between this link and the remainder of the belt and the link readily falls away.

In the case of ground based weapons, the discharged metal link from a disintegrating type cartridge belt or the cloth belt when employing a loop type belt, is scattered on the ground. While this is usually not a problem on the ground, it is a considerable problem for high speed aircraft. In particular, if a disintegrating belt comprised of metal links is employed, it is hazardous to discharge the links outside the aircraft since they become a hazard for any close following aircraft which could fly into the debris and be damaged or destroyed. Furthermore, both the disintegrating metal link belt and the loop type belt prepared from webbing material, have considerable weight. This weight is a distinct disadvantage particularly when these belts are used on aircraft since the belts must be retained on board.

In general, it is desirable that whatever the feed system employed for feeding ammunition to automatic weapons, the weight of the system should be minimized. Simplicity of the feed system is also of utmost importance. Complicated feed systems often prove unreliable. The combustible ammunition belt of this invention eliminates the disadvantages of conventional ammunition belts, while enhancing the overall attributes of caseless ammunition.

In accordance with this invention, a combustible ammunition belt for feeding caseless ammunition into an automatic firearm is provided, said combustible belt comprising a thin strip of combustible material. Rounds of caseless ammunition are secured to the combustible strip belt, said belt passing through the longitudinal axis of each caseless round. The combustible belt is fed into the chamber of the firearm with each caseless round. The combustible belt either completely burns in the chamber of the firearm, or through a combination of pressure, heat and velocity of exhaust gases is swept out of the chamber of the firearm leaving it substantially free of residue after a firing. A combustible strip belt can be connected together with another strip belt of the same type by connecting means secured to each end of the respective strip belts.

The automatic weapon in which a combustible ammunition belt having caseless rounds secured thereto is employed, is equipped with pawls or some other type of feed mechanism which engages several of the leading rounds of caseless ammunition and advances the rounds sequentially into position in front of the bolt of the firearm so that the rounds can be chambered. The V combustible belt is severed between the caseless round to be chambered and the succeeding caseless rounds by a suitable means such as a cutting device with is actuated by the fore and aft movement of the bolt. After the combustible belt has been severed, the bolt chambers the leading round of caseless ammunition with the severed portion of the strip belt.

For a complete understanding of the nature of this invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a caseless round of ammunition and a combustible strip ammunition belt in their respective positions prior to assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a combustible strip ammunition belt illustrating one embodiment of a connecting means employed for joining of combustible strip belts together.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the securing of a material forming a connecting means to a combustible strip ammunition belt.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view illustrating the connecting means of FIG. 3, prior to assembly of the caseless round.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the positions of a combustible ammunition belt having connecting means attached and a caseless cartridge prior to assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating connecting of two sections of a combustible ammunition belt employing the connecting means described in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and In FIG. 1, the propellant charge for the caseless round is shown as molded into two-half sections, 10 and 12. Each half-section 10, 12 of the propellant charge has a forward cavity. In the forward end of halfsection 12 a forward cavity 14 is shown as representing forward cavities of half-sections 10 and 12 aft of the projectile 16. The forward cavity formed by joining the half-sections of propellant charge is used to house a projectile 16. A combustible strip ammunition belt 18 is passed between the propellant charge half-sections 10 and 12. The combustible strip belt 18 comprised of a combustible mesh fabric having numerous opening 20 passes through the longitudinal axis of the assembled caseless round. The longitudinal axis of the assembled caseless round and the longitudinal axis of the combustible strip belt are perpendicular to each other. The mating surfaces of the half-sections l0 and 12 are represented by surface 22 of half-section 12. The combustible strip belt 18 is entrapped between the halfsections 10 and 12 by softening the mating surfaces of the propellant half-sections with a solvent for the propellant and then pressing these softened surfaces together. A propellant-propellant bond is formed between the half-sections l and 12 through the openings in the mesh belt.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate various views in the assembly of a combustible strip belt with a connecting means.

In FIG. 2, a combustible strip belt 24 is shown comprised of a strip of combustible fabric with connecting means 26 secured to each end of the strip of combustible fabric. The connecting means 26 illustrated are a male and a female saw toothed connector prepared by imprinting teeth into two pieces of thin combustible plate secured to theends of the belt. 7

As illustrated in FIG. 3, two thin combustible plates 28 and 30 and a strip of combustible belt 24 are aligned so that the end of combustible belt 24 is evenly sandwiched between the plates 28 and 30. In securing the plates 28 and 30 to the belt 24, the plates are heated until their surfaces become softened and the plates are then pressed together, trapping the combustible belt 24 between them. The fused plates which are securely attached to the ends of the belt 24 are imprinted while warm to form male and female saw tooth connectors.

As shown in FIG. 4, a male connector 32 and a female connector 34 are secured at opposite ends and on opposite sides of the belt 24. The male connector 32 is provided with an over sized tooth 36 which is needed to insure proper union of the male connector 32 and a female connector when two like combustible ammunition belts are to be joined together. This large tooth 36 is positioned at the forward end of the male connector 32 and prevents engagement of male and female connectors until all of the teeth 38 of the connectors are in engaging alignment.

In FIG. 5, a combustible strip ammunition belt with connecting means attached is shown in relation to a propellant charge of a caseless round prior to assembly of the charge and belt. The propellant charge is prepared in two halves, a linkage half 40, containing a slot 42 for a connecting means, and a mating half 44. The slot 42 in the linkage half 40 of the propellant charge extends from the longitudinal axis of the surface 46 of the linkage half 40 perpendicularly into and across the surface 46 of the linkage half 40 of the charge to its peripheral surface 48. The width of the slot 42 must be at least as wide as cumulative widths of the male and female connecting means so that they can be moved past each other into engaging relationship. The depth of slot measured perpendicularly from the surface 46 of the propellant charge is as deep as the thickness of the male and female connectors when in engaging relationship.

In FIG. 6, two combustible strip ammunition belts A and B, with rounds of caseless ammunition secured thereto are illustrated as they would appear just prior to joining of the two belts. The first round secured to ammunition belt B, round 50, has a male connecting means 52 secured at the end of the belt 54 extending beyond round 50. The last round secured to ammunition belt B, round 56, has a female connecting means secured to belt 54 which is housed in slot 58 of the caseless cartridge. Combustible ammunition belt A, has round 60, as its last round. Round 60 has a female connecting means6l (position shown only) secured to belt 62 and housed in the forward end of slot 64 in the propellant charge of round 60. To connect belts A and B, the male connecting means 54 attached to belt B, is moved forward and inserted into-the aft-half of slot 64, until the male connecting means 54 and female connecting means 61 are in engaging relationship. When in engaging relationship the male connecting means is moved laterally (toward the forward end of round 60) whereby the male and female connecting means interlock providing a strong linkage for the two belts of caseless ammunition.

The combustible strip belt of this invention is characterized by straight line design. Straight line design as used herein, is defined as a design whereby the pull on the belt is not dissipated by annular displacement of the pulling force. Straight line design is possible by having the combustible strip ammunition belt pass through the longitudinal axes of the caseless rounds as shown in attached drawings. The force required to feed this belt into an automatic weapon is thereby minimized. The straight line design also minimizes the amount of belting material which is fed into the chamber of the firearm.

The term combustible material as used herein is defined as any material that will burn or be consumed in the chamber of the firearm, or through a combination of heat, pressure, and velocity of exhaust gases will leave the chamber of the firearm substantially free of residue after firing of a round. The combustible material must also be strong enough to withstand the tensile forces, to which it is subjected in feeding caseless rounds into the firearm, without breaking.

Suitable combustible materials which can be employed include natural and man-made fibers of high strength such as rayon yarns or fibers available commercially, for example, under the Trademark Fortisan; polyester fibers; nylon; cotton; hemp; unidirectional steel fabric prepared from small steel filaments and the like. I-Iigh strength plastic films can also be employed such as polyester film prepared from polyethylene terephthalate resin. The combustible fabric or film is preferably prepared with a pattern of openings or a mesh throughout the material to minimize its weight and to provide an open area through which caseless cartridge half-sections can be bonded.

Consideration of the tensile forces to be applied to the combustible ammunition belt must be taken into account when choosing a fabric, filament spacing,

number of filaments, and diameter of filaments, so as to provide sufficient strength for the belt. Based on these factors, the choice of a suitable fabric and belt design can readily be made.

Combustible belts for 30 mm caseless ammunition have been prepared from mesh fabric wherein the filaments are 0.007 inches in diameter and 0.040 inches apart. The belt is one inch wide. Such spacing of the filaments provides openings in the belt of about 0.40 square inches. For small caliber rounds (up to about 30 mm) the center to center distance of the filaments should be about five times greater than the diameter of the filaments. Such a spacing provides sufficient open area through which the halves of the caseless cartridge can fuse so as to provide a strong bond. Alternatively, if

desired, the propellant halves can be adhesively secured to a combustible fabric.

The connecting means illustrated in FIGS. 2-6 is a preferred connecting means, however, the connecting means of this invention is in no way limited to such a design. In the design illustrated, connecting means are prepared from materials having high strength and which will burn in the chamber of the firearm and/or through a combination of heat, pressure and velocity of exhaust gases leave the chamber of the firearm free of residue after firing of a round. illustrative materials for this purpose are polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate,

and the like. The connecting means do not have to be connected as shown. Engagement of the connecting means can be made outside the confining area of the caseless round.

The combustible ammunition belt of this invention provides the flexibility of conventional type belts in that sections of the belt having multiple rounds of caseless ammunition secured thereto, can be joined together as needed. The combustible belt is extremely light in weight and requires a minimum of force to pull the belt into the chamber of the firearm due to the straight line design of the belt. This belt offers another advantage in providing additional force for firing a round of caseless ammunition due to combustion of the belt while eliminating the weight and the storage problem associated with conventional belts.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, various modifications can be made or followed, in light of the foregoing disclosure and discussion, without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure, or from the scope of the claims.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent ll. A combustible ammunition belt for feeding rounds of caseless ammunition, comprising a propellant charge and a projectile secured at the forward-end of the propellant charge, into the chamber of an automatic weapon, said ammunition belt being fed into the chamber of the weapon, said combustible ammunition belt comprising a strip of combustible material having secured thereto rounds of caseless ammunition, said strip of combustible material passing through both the longitudinal axis of each caseless round and through the propellant charge of each caseless round aft of the projectile.

2. The combustible belt of claim 1 in which the combustible material is a mesh fabric prepared from rayon.

3. The combustible belt of claim 1 in which the combustible material is in the form of a mesh fabric prepared from polyester fiber.

4. The combustible belt of claim 1 in which the combustible material is prepared from polyethylene terephthalate film.

5. The combustible belt of claim 1 in which the combustible material is a mesh fabric prepared from small steel filaments.

6. The combustible belt of claim 1 wherein each end of the belt has secured thereto a connecting means for joining sections of like combustible belts.

7. The combustible belt of claim 6 wherein the connecting means are a male connector and a female connector, said connectors comprised of thin plates of combustible material secured at each end of the combustible belt, each plate having a series of teeth on one side forming a surface for connecting engagement, male to female, with connectors of a like belt.

8. The combustible belt of claim 7 wherein the connecting means are prepared from polypropylene.

9. The combustible belt of claim 7 wherein the connecting means are prepared from nylon.

10. The combustible belt of claim 7 wherein the connecting means are prepared from polycarbonate. 

1. A combustible ammunition belt for feeding rounds of caseless ammunition, comprising a propellant charge and a projectile secured at the forward-end of the propellant charge, into the chamber of an automatic weapon, said ammunition belt being fed into the chamber of the weapon, said combustible ammunition belt comprising a strip of combustible material having secured thereto rounds of caseless ammunition, said strip of combustible material passing through both the longitudinal axis of each caseless round and through the propellant charge of each caseless round aft of the projectile.
 2. The combustible belt of claim 1 in which the combustible material is a mesh fabric prepared from rayon.
 3. The combustible belt of claim 1 in which the combustible material is in the form of a mesh fabric prepared from polyester fiber.
 4. The combustible belt of claim 1 in which the combustible material is prepared from polyethylene terephthalate film.
 5. The combustible belt of claim 1 in which the combustible material is a mesh fabric prepared from small steel filaments.
 6. The combustible belt of claim 1 wherein each end of the belt has secured thereto a connecting means for joining sections of like combustible belts.
 7. The combustible belt of claim 6 wherein the connecting means are a male connector and a female connector, said connectors comprised of thin plates of combustible material secured at each end of the combustible belt, each plate having a series of teeth on one side forming a surface for connecting engagement, male to female, with connectors of a like belt.
 8. The combustible belt of claim 7 wherein the connecting means are prepared from polypropylene.
 9. The combustible belt of claim 7 wherein the connecting means are prepared from nylon.
 10. The combustible belt of claim 7 wherein the connecting means are prepared from polycarbonate. 